Typographical composing and distributing machine



April 25, 1939. 2,155,589

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE F. C. FROLANDER ET AL Original Filed April 28, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTORJ ATTORNEYJ April 1939- F. c. FROLANDER ET AL 2,155,589

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Original Filed April 28, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m t \C W 7/ r A TORNfE Y6 Ap ril 25, 1939. F. c. FROLANDER Er AL ,5

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE s Sheets-Sht 3 Original Filed April-28, 1937 1N VENTORS A TTORNE Y5 w 2% l ia w =I== W V M Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Frank C. Frolander, Elizabeth, N. J and Harold A. Burt, St. Albans,

N. Y., assignors to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York 8 Claims.

This invention relates to distributing mechanisms for typographical composing machines, such as Linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to O. Mergenthaler No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. The instant application is a division of the co-pending application, Serial No. 139,436, filed April 28, 1937.

More particularly, the present improvements are directed to that class of machines equipped with a series of magazines movable to bring different selected pluralities thereof into operative relation with a distributing mechanism capable of simultaneously serving said plurality of magazines, so that matrices from the different magazines in operative position can be mixed in line and, after the slug has been cast, returned to their proper magazines through the distributing mechanism.

The distributing mechanism is of the class disclosed in the patent to R. D. Carter, No. 1,427,517, in that it is equipped with two distributors located at different levels, the upper one operable to distribute matrices to the lower magazine in operative position, and the lower one operable to distribute matrices to the upper magazine in operative position, and in that it is also equipped with a distributor box provided with an adjustable bridge adapted to cooperate with notches in the lower edges of the matrices of the respective fonts in such manner that, if there is a notch in a matrix traversing the bridge and in alinement therewith, such matrix will ride low across the bridge and drop through a channel to the lower distributor for distribution to the magazine in the upper position; whereas, if the matrix is devoid of a notch in alinement with the bridge, such matrix will ride high across the bridge and be distributed by the upper distributor to the lower magazine in operative position.

In accordance with the present improvements, the bridge .is adjustable to different positions automatically as different pluralities of magazines are moved into operative position, the adjustment being in accordance with predetermined settings of means which regulate the position of the bridge properly to cooperate with the notches in the matrices of the particular fonts in use. The notches are cut in the lower edges of the matrices in different positions according to a predetermined code, so that the operator, knowing the fonts to be used in the machine, can set the bridge adjusting means in such manner that, as the different magazines are moved into operative position, the bridge will be automatically adjusted to correspond.

The distributor box of the present machine is also equipped with a font distinguisher which, as usual, will act to permit the matrices of the fonts in operative position to pass through the distributor box for distribution by the distributors, and which will act to arrest the passage of a matrix in the event it is of a font different from those in the magazines in operative position. The font distinguisher, as usual, comprises a short rib which is presented into the path of the matrices traversing the distributor box and in alinement with slots cut in the lower edges of the matrices, it being understood that the slots in all the matrices of a given font are located relatively in the same position. Obviously, therefore, if the matrices traversing the distributor box are of the proper font or fonts, no interference to their distribution is presented. On the other hand, if a matrix, foreign to the proper font and which will be devoid of a font slot in proper location inadvertently finds its way into the distributor box, its passage therethrough will be arrested by the font distinguisher and the operator required to remove the offending matrix. According to the present improvements, the font distinguisher is also adjustable automatically as different pluralities of magazines are moved into operative position by mechanism, which is, in all substantial respects, similar to that for adjusting the bridge and which operates in the same way.

In the accompanying drawings, the improvements are shown in connection with four magazines mounted in a shift frame movable upwardly and downwardly to locate the upper or lower pairs in operative position. However, it should be understood that they are equally applicable to machines of other kinds including, say, one equipped with three magazines and wherein either the upper two or lower twocan be located in operative position.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an upper portion of a typographical composing machine equipped with the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the distributor box and showing its connection with the upper distributor device (that for distributing matrices to the lower magazine of the operative pair) Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3;

1 Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 6-45 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 depicts a matrix equipped with a font distinguishing slot and illustrates the manner in which it can be modified for use with the present machine;

Fig. 8 depicts a matrix equipped with a bridge notch and illustrates the manner in which it can be modified for use with the present machine;

Fig. 9 is a face view of a gauge plate with which the present machine is equipped and which functions in automatically setting the bridge of the distributor mechanism in its proper position when the magazines are shifted to bring, say, the lower pair of matrix magazines in operative position instead of the upper pair or vice versa; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line Ill-l of Fig. 9.

In the embodiment illustrated, the machine is equipped with four main magazines, A A A and A carried in a shift frame A arranged to be raised and lowered to bring either the upper two or the lower two magazines into operative position between the assembler mechanism at the front (not shown) and the distributor mechanism at the rear. The machine is of the so-called mixing type, the assembling mechanism being such that matrices from either of the magazines in operative position can be assembled indiscriminately in line for the casting of a slug or linotype.

Since the present machine contemplates mixing matrices from the two magazines in operative position, there are provided two distributors U and U (see Fig. l), the upper distributor being connected through a magazine entrance U with the lower magazine in operative position, and the lower distributor through a shorter magazine entrance U with the upper magazine in operative position. The matrices X, as usual, are fed to a distributor box U associated with the upper distributor (Figs. 2 and 3), wherein they are supported by their upper projecting ears on rails u as they traverse the box. The distributor box U is of standard construction, being provided, as usual, with a vertically reciprocating slide U which acts to raise the matrices individually onto a raised portion 11. of the rails u. The distributor box is also provided with a bridge U adjustable in a fore-and-aft direction to aline with notches cut in the lower edges of the matrices and which determines whether the matrices are to be distributed by the upper distributor or shunted to a second distributor box U associated with the lower distributor. Although the bridge notches for any given font are located in the same relative positions in the lower edges of the matrices, the position of such notches will vary for the different fonts. Consequently, when the bridge U is set to register with the notches in the matrices to be distributed by the lower distributor box U the matrices, as they pass from the elevated portions u of the rails, will either drop to a slightly depressed portion u of the rails, if the notch therein registers with the bridge, or else ride high across the bridge if the notch is not in registry therewith. The matrices riding high will travel along the distributor bar U associated with the upper distributor for distribution to the lower magazine, whereas those matrices provided with notches in registry with the bridge will pass along the portion 11. of the rails until they reach the end thereof, whereupon they Will drop into a chute U leading to the lower distributor box U", which likewise is equipped with a vertically reciprocating slide U for elevating the matrices one at a time to the distributor bar 11. associated with the lower distributor and along which the matrices travel for distribution to the upper magazine.

The present machine is also equipped with a so-called font distinguisher which comprises a rib U located in the upper distributor box just in advance of the vertical slide U and which is adjustable in a fore-and-aft direction to aline with font distinguishing slots likewise located in the lower edges of the matrices. The distinguishing slots in any font of matrices are, of course, located in the same place, the purpose being to permit only those matrices belonging to a particular font to pass through the distributor box for distribution. If the font distinguishing slot does not register with the font distinguishing rib U in the distributor box, its passage will be arrested, the distributing mechanism in such cases being stopped so as to permit the operator to remove the offending matrix. In the present machine, the font distinguishing slots in the matrices are located in the same relative positions for both fonts in operative position, so that only those matrices belonging to said fonts are allowed to pass for distribution, separation of the matrices as between the two fonts being effected by the bridge previously alluded to.

Since the present improvements contemplate a machine equipped with a bank of four magazines shiftable to bring either the upper or lower pair into operative position, means have been provided for automatically setting the adjustable bridge and font distinguisher as the magazines are thus shifted, the proper settings for the bridge and font distinguisher being predetermined by manual adjustment, depending upon the particular fonts with which the machine is equipped at the time.

The adjustable bridge U for routing the matrices to their respective magazines (see Figs. 4 and 6) is in the form of an upstanding lip presented at the front end of a horizontal slide U tongued and grooved into the upper face of a block U mounted between the side walls and at the right end of the distributor box U The slide U is adjustable in a fore-and-aft direction by a long lever U centrally pivoted at the rear of the machine and bearing at its upper end against a depending portion U of the slide. When the lever is swung in a counterclockwise direction in a manner hereinafter described, it will push the slide forwardly through a distance, depending upon the degree of movement of the lever and against the force exerted by a compression spring U which encircles a rod U slidably arranged in and extending transversely through the block U and which reacts between the rear face of the distributor box and a collar U likewise encircling the rod and bearing against the inner face of the depending portion U The rod U also extends through the depending portion U of the slide and limits the movement of the latter in both directions by means of a knob U pinned at one end of the rod and bearing against the outer face of the depending portionU and a head portion U formed at the other end of the rod and bearing against the front face of the distributor box. Adjustment of the slide in the rearward direction is effected by the spring U which will move the slide through a distance permitted by the lever U when the latter is turned in a clockwise direction.

The font distinguishing mechanism (see Fig. 5) includes a short horizontal rod U extending transversely through the distributor box and presenting adjacent its center, the thin upstanding lip U which, as previously referred to, presents an obstruction in the path of those matrices passing through the distributor box that are not of the proper font. The rod U is formed at its opposite ends with head portions U and U which limit its movement in both directions, and is adjusted transversely of the distributor box to locate the lip U in different positions by a centrally pivoted lever U similar to and mounted on the same shaft as the lever U by which the bridge is adjusted. As in case of adjusting the bridge, when the lever U is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the upper end thereof will engage the head U of the rod U to push the rod forwardly against the reaction of a compression spring U encircling the rod, and reacting between the head U and the rear faceof the distributor box, whereas when the lever is turned in the opposite direction, the rod, and consequently the lip, will be moved toward the rear of the distributor box under the action of said spring.

In order to prevent breakage of the parts, in the event some obstruction is presented to the movement of the bridge slide or font distinguisher, the motion of the levers U and U is transmitted to the respective members operated thereby through spring cushioned plungers U (see Fig. 4), which have each a reduced portion U extending through the head of the lever and threaded into a cup-shaped element U and a knurled knob U which, together, act as a pair of lock nuts, by means of which the position of the plunger can be adjusted in order to insure proper adjustment of the bridge and font distinguisher. It will also be understood that the springs associated with the plungers U are stronger than those associated with the slide U and the rod U for the same reason.

The movement of the levers U and U to bring about the adjustment of the bridge and font distinguisher is effected automatically as the shift frame is moved to bring one or the other pairs of magazines into operative position between the assembler throats at the front and the magazine entrance channels at the rear, the mechanism for this purpose including two pairs of discs V, V and V V (see Fig. 1) mounted on a bracket V carried by the movable shift frame at the rear and adapted to engage the levers U and U at their lower ends. When the upper pair of magazines is in operative position, the upper pair of discs V, V will be in cooperative relation with the levers, whereas when the lower pair of magazines is in operative position, the lower pair of discs V V will be in cooperative relation with the levers. It might be noted at this point that the lower arms of the levers U and U are offset from the upper arms thereof in order to register with the discs, the arms of the lever U being actually disposed one at each side of the lever U but integrally joined together at the pivot by a bail bar U (see Fig. 1), so that the discs V and V at the left, looking at the machine from the rear, partake in the adjustment of the font distinguisher while the discs V and V at the right partake in the adjustment of the bridge.

These discs V, V V V (see Figs. 9 and 10) are all alike and provided each with a series of stepped surfaces 1) located at different distances from the centers of the discs, and it is these surfaces against which the levers U and U bank. Consequently, different settings of the discs will effect different settings of the bridge and font distinguisher through the lever connections, in the manner hereinbefore described. The discs are provided each with a pin adapted to seat in one or another of a series of holes 11 drilled in the frame member V and spaced around a circular pitch line to correspond to the diiferent operative positions of the various stepped surfaces. Each disc is rotatably mounted on a shoulder screw V threaded into the frame member and held in its different adjusted positions by a compression spring V reacting between the head of the screw and the disc. To adjust a disc, all that is necessary is to pull it out against the reaction of the spring V until the pin 12 clears the hole '0 whereupon it can be rotated to bring the desired banking surface 1) into operative position.

The stepped banking plates are marked in a specific manner to facilitate adjustment for the different fonts in use, but before explaining the marking, a word will be said concerning the manner in which the bridge notches and the font distinguishing slots are located in the matrices of the diiferent fonts. Since the present machine is equipped with both a font distinguisher and a font selecting bridge, the matrices of any two fonts used together as a pair, will have their font distinguishing slots similarly located in order to pass through the upper distributor. In addition, the matrices of the font in the upper magazine will have bridge notches located in a different position in order that they may be routed to the lower distributor. In other words, so far as the fonts in the upper magazine of any operative pair are concerned, two notches or slots must be provided in the matrices. Matrices in commercial use are equipped with either font distinguishing slots or bridge notches, but not both, the font distinguishing slots :1: (see Fig. '7) being located in one or another of twelve different positions, whereas the bridge notches y (see Fig. 8) are located in one or another of eight different positions. In order that these matrices may be used with the present machine, those which are equipped with font distinguishing slots must be provided with another slot in one or another of the other twelve different positions according to a certain code. Thus, if the mat rices X in the upper magazine of a pair have a font distinguishing slot 1: at position No. 9 (see Fig. '7), another slot :0 will be cut therein, say at position No. 1 and, for this font, the bridge will be located in the No. 1 position. The matrices in the lower magazine of such pair will have a font distinguishing slot at position No. 9, but no corresponding slot at position No. 1. A similar procedure will have to be followed with the matrices provided with only bridge notches. Thus, if the matrices Y in the upper magazine of a pair are equipped with bridge notches y at,

say position No. 3 (Fig. 8), other notches must be placed therein at a position, say corresponding to position No. 8, and for this font the font distinguisher will be located at the No. 8 position. The matrices in the lower magazine of such pair will have notches at position No. 8, so that they too, can pass the font distinguisher, but no corresponding notch at position No. 3.

To sum up briefly, the matrices of the font in the upper magazine of any operative pair must have two slots in their bottom edges, both of which may be cut in bridge notch positions or in font distinguishing slot positions, but irrespective of the code followed in cutting the slots, the font distinguisher in the present machine will be set to correspond with one slot position and the bridge with the other slot position. The matrices of the font in the lower magazine of such pair must have each a slot out according to the same code and located in the position corresponding to the slot which cooperates with the font distinguisher, but devoid of a slot in the other position.

The method of adjusting the stepped banking plates to effect the positioning of the bridge and the font distinguisher will now be readily understood. Referring to Fig. 9, the disc marking shown is typical of all discs on the machine, and it will be noticed that it is divided into two sections, one labelled font slots, and the other labelled bridge notches, the section designated font slots having stepped surfaces at twelve different levels and that designated bridge notches having stepped surfaces at eight different levels. If the matrices of the fonts in use are slotted according to the font slot code, then the font slot portion of all plates V, V V and V will be used in setting the discs for the adjustment of both the bridge and the font distinguisher. In other words, if the matrices of the two upper magazines have their font distinguishing slots at position No. 9, the stepped disc V controlling the font distinguisher will be set to correspond at position No. 9 of the font slot portion and, if the matrices of the seventy-two character font have slots at position No. l for traversing the bridge, the stepped disc V for determining the position of the bridge will likewise be set at position No. l on the font slot portion thereof. The stepped discs V and V will be adjusted for the lower two magazines in like manner, depending, of course, upon the location of the slots in the matrices thereof. And a similar procedure will be followed in adjusting the machine when the matrices are equipped with notches according to the bridge notch code, namely, the bridge notch portions of the stepped discs will be used for determining the settings of the bridge and font distinguisher. Once the stepped discs have been set for any series of magazines in the machine, the bridge and font distinguisher will be automatically positioned for the different pairs of magazines as the latter are moved into operative position by the engagement of the stepped discs with the levers U and U in the manner pre viously described.

In order to insure accuracy in the settings of font distinguisher and bridge, the bracket V on which the stepped plates are mounted rides on an anti-friction roller V (Figs. 1 and 2) rotatably mounted in a fixed bracket V as the shift frame is moved to bring the different pairs of magazines into operative position. The roller is located beneath the bracket V in a position directly opposite the levers U and U so as accurately to locate the bracket at this point. Obviously, any inaccuracy in the position of the bracket, as for instance, from bending, would result in an inaccurate setting of the bridge and font distinguisher.

It is believed that the operation of the machine will be perfectly clear without further description.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely by way of example and in preferred form, and obviously, many variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, What We claim is:

1. A typographical composing machine including, in combination, a series of three or more superposed magazines containing matrices pro vided with notches differently located for different fonts, a frame for supporting the magazines and movable to bring different pairs thereof into operative position, a pair of matrix distributors serving ,the magazines in operative position, means for routing the matrices according to font for distribution by the distributors, said means including a single element adjustable to different positions so that for a given pair of magazines in operative position it will register with the notches in the matrices of one magazine and be out of register with the notches in the matrices of the other magazines, so as thereby to separate the matrices of the different fonts for proper routing to their respective distributors, and automatic means for adjusting said element as different pairs of magazines are brought into operative position.

2. A typographical composing machine including, in combination, a series of three or more superposed magazines containing matrices provided with notches differently located for different fonts, a frame for supporting the magazines and movable to bring different pairs thereof into operative position, a pair of matrix distributors serving the magazines in operative position,

means for routing the matrices according to font in the matrices of one magazine and be out of register with the notches in the matrices of the other magazine, so as thereby to separate the matrices of the different fonts for proper routing to their respective distributors, means for predetermining the settings of said element for different pairs of magazines, and means for automatically adjusting said element according to the predetermined settings as different pairs of ma azines are moved into operative position.

3. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the means for predetermining the setting of the element includes a device for each pair of magazines and presenting banking surfaces differently located and adjustable torender one or another thereof active depending upon the matrix fonts in the corresponding pair of magazines, and means arranged to cooperate with the banking surface in active position as the corresponding pair of magazines is moved into operative position to effect the setting of the element.

4. In a typographical composing machine adapted to be equipped with a pair of magazines wherein matrices of different fonts are stored and wherein the matrices of the different fonts are equipped with notches differently located according to font and arranged according to one code or another, the combination therewith of a pair of matrix distributors, one for each magazine, means including a single element adjustable to different positions so that for a given pair of magazines it will register with the notches in the matrices of one magazine and be out of register with the notches in the matrices of the other magazine, so as thereby to separate the matrices of the different fonts for proper routing to their respective distributors, and means including a disc settable in one position or another according to the fonts in use for automatically setting said element, said disc having two sections either one of which is used in setting the same depending upon the code used in locating the notches in the matrices.

5. In a typographical composing machine adapted to be equipped with a pair of magazines containing matrices of different fonts and wherein the matrices of both fonts are equipped with notches similarly located and those of one font with a second notch for which there is no correspondingly located notch in the matrices of the other font, the combination therewith of a pair of distributors serving the respective magazines, a pair of elements, one adjustable to cooperate with the similarly located notches in both fonts so as to permit the matrices of both fonts to pass for distribution while arresting the passage of matrices not of the said fonts, and the other adjustable to cooperate with the notches in one font for which there is no correspondingly located notch in the matrices of the other font,

- whereby the matrices of the different fonts are caused to traverse said element at relatively different levels, and means for routing the matrices to the different distributors according to which of such relatively different levels they are caused to assume.

6. In a typographical composing machine adapted to be equipped with a plurality of pairs of magazines containing matrices: of different fonts and wherein the matrices of both fonts of the respective pairs of magazines are equipped With notches similarly located and those of one font of each pair with a second notch for which there is no correspondingly located notch in the matrices of the other font of the pair, the combination of a pair of matrix distributors, a supporting frame for the magazines movable to bring one or another of the pairs of magazines into and out of operative relation with the distributors, a pair of elements, one adjustable to cooperate with the similarly located notches in the matrices of both fonts in operative position so as to permit the matrices of said fonts to pass for distribution while arresting the passage of matrices not of the said fonts, and the other adjustable to cooperate with the notches in the matrices of one font of the pair for which there is no correspondingly located notch in the matrices of the other font of said pair, whereby the matrices of the different fonts of the pair in operative position are caused to traverse said element at relatively different levels, means for routing the matrices to the different distributors according to which of such relatively different levels they are caused to assume in traversing said element, and means for adjusting said elements automatically to different positions to accord with the respective notches in the matrices in a different pair of magazines as said magazinesare moved into operative position.

'7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein there is provided manually adjustable means mounted on the movable magazine supporting frame for predetermining the settings of the elements, and mechanism cooperating with said means as the different pairs of magazines are moved into operative position for effecting the adjustment of the elements automatically in accordance with said predetermined settings.

8. A combination according to claim 6, wherein the movable magazine supporting frame is provided with a pair of discs, one for each pair of magazines, settable in one position or another according to the fonts in use for automatically adjusting the matrix cooperating elements, said discs each having two sections either one of Which is used in setting the same depending upon the code used in locating the notches in the matrices.

FRANK C. FROLANDER. HAROLD A. BURT. 

